AstraZeneca strengthens its presence in the cell therapy market with a billion-dollar acquisition. The company announces that it will acquire Gracell Biotechnologies for a total of 1.2 billion US dollars. The cash portion of the transaction amounts to 1.0 billion US dollars, thus offering a premium of 62 percent on Gracell's last closing price of 6.19 US dollars.

AstraZeneca can further expand its pipeline of cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases with the deal. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, as the company announces.

After the acquisition, Gracell will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca with locations in China and the USA. The renowned Swiss bank UBS confirms the rating for AstraZeneca with a price target of 13000 pence. Analyst Colin White emphasizes this in a recent study and highlights the strengthening of the cell therapy platform through the acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies.

The expert refers to Gracell's most important product as promising. This is a Car-T cell therapy that is currently being tested in a clinical study for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

On Wednesday, AstraZeneca's stock on the London Stock Exchange recorded a 1.03% increase to £105.44. With the planned acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies, the pharmaceutical company once again demonstrates its ambition to take a leading role in the constantly evolving field of cell therapies. Thanks to AstraZeneca's expansion strategy, the company can continue to offer innovative and promising treatment options for serious illnesses.